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The entire mining industry is to be subjected to a new
regulatory framework in the wake of the Pike River tragedy.

Twenty nine miners died in the explosion two years ago.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry came up with at least 16
recommendations and today the Government gave each a specific
deadline.

It also said it will introduce a regulatory framework for the
entire mining sector, not just underground mining as recommended by
the Royal Commission.

"We've taken the view that there are some high hazard industries
in New Zealand that need to be regulated strongly."

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, MP Steven Joyce and Energy and
Resources Minister Phil Heatley will oversee the implementation of
the response to the Commission's recommendations.

"We are working to put into effect as soon as practically
possible the 16 recommendations of the Royal Commission aimed at
addressing systemic failures in the health and safety regulatory
regime," Joyce says.

"We owe it to the families of the victims of Pike River to
ensure we follow through promptly on every recommendation the Royal
Commission has made," he said.

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Finlayson said different aspects of the report will take time to
bring into effect, with a goal of having all recommendations in
place by the end of 2013.

"I gave an undertaking in pretty blunt terms to the poor
families at Greymouth that it would all be put in place both
legislative and regulatory and all other types of reforms by the
end of 2013 and that's what the Government's committed to,"
Finlayson told ONE News.

The Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety has
been given responsibility for advising Government on several other
key recommendations by the Commission, including the best structure
and form of a new independent regulator for workplace health and
safety.

"The next milestone will be our decision early next year on the
form of the new independent regulator," Finlayson says.

"The Taskforce will advise the Government on other key Royal
Commission recommendations by April 30 when it is scheduled to
report back on New Zealand's entire workplace health and safety
system."

The Government has appointed an Expert Reference Group on mining
safety and regulation to provide advice and independent scrutiny to
the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in developing a
more effective regulatory framework for all mining in New
Zealand.

"The new regulatory framework will cover all mining in New
Zealand," Finlayson says. A new framework will be consulted on
mid-2013.

"The changes will also address the recommendations for worker
participation in mining health and safety management, more detailed
health and safety management responsibilities for company directors
and statutory mine managers, management training and emergency
management planning."

Former Pike River safety manager Neville Rockhouse is confident
the Government will deliver on their promise. His son Ben died in
the tragedy while his other son Daniel survived and made it out of
the mine to safety.

"Their legacy has to be reforms across the board&that's
really paramount to the families, that this thing cannot ever
happen again and it's reinforced in legislation," he told ONE
News.

"It's the first time they've looked like they're going to carry
through with what they say they're going to do, and I guess that's
what was required because what they've said they're going to do in
the past has not materialised."

EPMU praises plan

EPMU assistant national secretary Ged O'Connell says the plan is
good news for miners and their families.

"Mine safety is a matter of life and death for our members, so
we are pleased to see the Government recognises the importance of
implementing the Royal Commission's recommendations without
reservation or delay."

O'Connell said the plan is comprehensive, and provides a
"positive framework for getting the decisions right".

He said he would like to see unions and the community consulted
on all recommendations.

"The decision to widen the scope of the recommendations to
include opencast mining is sensible and shows the lessons of Pike
River apply in other high hazard industries and indeed for health
and safety in New Zealand generally.

"The makeup of the expert reference group on mining safety and
regulation is also welcome, as it includes significant expertise
from Queensland, which has world's best practice in mine
safety."